title: Knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding HIV testing among female military family members of childbearing age in Honduras.
abstract: This is a survey of knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding HIV testing among 187 female family members affiliated with the Honduran Armed Forces and civilian controls. Prior HIV testing was reported by 45%, and 94% expressed willingness to be tested in the future. Pregnancy was the reason for 73% of prior tests, but only 49% of the 149 women with prior pregnancies reported prior tests. Although most women tested for HIV did so during pregnancy, there appears to be a gap in understanding that the rationale is to help prevent maternal-child transmission at birth or through breast-feeding. Military-affiliated women were more likely to describe themselves as being knowledgeable of HIV/AIDS, 95% versus 82% (p < 0.01), but there were few differences in knowledge between groups. Positive perceptions of confidentiality, test accuracy, and self-awareness of HIV were associated with prior testing. Although these differences may point to HIV/AIDS educational areas that should be emphasized for a particular population, the overall content that should be provided to military or civilian families is the same.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Biometrics, Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814.
authors.forename: Patrick W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Hickey
authors.forename: Devon R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Kuehn
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aviles
authors.forename: Clifton
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lopez
mesh_terms: D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000635:transmission; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006721:Honduras; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel; D055815:Young Adult